Techniques for integrating wireless functionality in a power outlet
AssigneeSapient Industries, Inc.
InventorSam Parks
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A power control device is contained within a housing and has an electric current sensor configured to measure current passing through an electric outlet during a time period, a proximity sensor configured to detect a distance of an object relative to the electric outlet during the time period, a relay switch that can open or close to stop or conduct current through a circuit in the electric outlet in response to a command, and a wireless network interface in communication with the electric current sensor and the proximity sensor, the wireless network interface configured to transmit and receive data from the current sensor and the proximity sensor, to transmit commands to the relay switch, transmit the data to a computing device, and receive commands from the computing device.
Claims19
A power control device contained within a housing, the device comprising:
- an electric current sensor configured to measure current passing through an electric outlet during a time period;
- a proximity sensor configured to detect a distance of an object relative to the electric outlet during the time period;
- a relay switch that can open or close to stop or conduct current through a circuit in the electric outlet in response to a command;
- and
- a wireless network interface in communication with the electric current sensor and the proximity sensor, the wireless network interface configured to transmit and receive data from the current sensor and the proximity sensor, to transmit commands to the relay switch, to transmit the data to an access hub via a router, and to receive commands from the access hub, wherein the access hub plugs into the router to create a private access point for the power control device.
A computing device implemented method comprising:
- receiving, from an access hub plugged into a router to create a private access point for a power outlet, data representing power use of the power outlet over a period of time;
- receiving, from the access hub, data representing a distance of an object relative to the power outlet during the period of time;
- developing a power usage profile using the collected power use and proximity data;
- and
- transmitting, to the access hub, a command to the power outlet based on the usage profile to turn on or off in response to a condition.
A system comprising:
- a computing device comprising:
- a memory configured to store instructions;
- and
- a processor to execute the instructions to perform operations comprising:
- receiving, from an access hub plugged into a router to create a private access point for a plurality of power outlets, data representing power use of the plurality of power outlets and data representing a proximity of an object relative to the power outlets;
- developing a power usage profile using the collected power use and proximity data;
- and
- transmitting, to the access hub, commands to the power outlet to turn on or off based on the usage profile.
A system comprising:
- a computing device comprising:
- a memory configured to store instructions, and
- a processor to execute the instructions to perform operations comprising:
- receiving, from an access hub plugged into a router to create a private access point for one or more power outlets, data representing power use of the one or more power outlets from one or more power sensors directly connected to the one or more power outlets;
- storing the data representing the power use of the one or more power outlets;
- developing power usage profiles using the collected power use data for each of the power outlets;
- and
- displaying the power usage profiles.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.